Leg strength and weight training in elderly patients with myocardial infarction / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

The present two studies were aimed at investigating the necessity of weight training in elderly patients with myocardial infarction.<BR>Study 1 investigated the muscle strength and incidence of gait disorders in 300 patients with myocardial infarction. The age-and gender-related differences in knee extension peak torque were significant (p<0.01) . Peak torque in the 70-79 and 80-89 yr-old women was extremely low (0.88, 0.75N·mm/kg) . Gait disorders occurred frequently in older patients amounting to approximately 30% of women>70 years of age.<BR>Study 2 was conducted to clarify the effects of combined aerobic and weight training. 35 elderly patients with myocardial infarction were assigned to two groups Group I performed combined aerobic and weight training (n=18) and group II did not perform physical training (n =17) . Physical training was prescribed for 8 weeks. Weight training of knee extensors was performed at 60% of one repetition maximum and aerobic training was prescribed at the anaerobic threshold (AT) level heart rate. After 8 weeks, the improvement in peak torque and gait speed was significantly greater in group I (32%, 12%) than group II (9%, 3%) . The improvement in peak VO<SUB>2</SUB>, exercise time, AT was significantly greater in group I than group II. Increased peak torque was associated with increased gait speed and exercise time (modified protocol) (r=0.71, r=0.53) . On the other hand, increased peak torque was not associated with increased peak VO<SUB>2</SUB> and AT. Combined aerobic and weight training is an effective method for increasing muscle strength, gait speed and exercise capacity.<BR>In conclusion, physical training in the recovery phase of elderly patients with myocardial infarction should include weight training.